Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Extra Protection For Dental Patients

House Votes Authority for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation MOA's

For Immediate Release: March 30, 1998 Contact: Rep. Gene Therriault at (907) 465-4797.

Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday passed House Bill 387, which gives the Board of Dental Examiners the ability to enter into a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with applicants or licensees who are unable to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. The bill passed on a 30-3 vote.

Currently the Board enters into an MOA when it determines that an applicant or licensee is physically unable to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. However, during a Legislative audit last year it was found that the Board possesses no statutory authority to enter into such an agreement.

"This bill seeks to give that authority to the Board of Dental Examiners while preserving the spirit and intent of the statute: to protect dental patients," said Representative Gene Therriault (R-Fairbanks), the bill's sponsor. "Passage of HB 387 will allow the board to continue to enter into MOA's that require a dentist to have CPR certified personnel in attendance whenever an invasive dental procedure is performed.

"The wording of the legislation will also prevent a potential conflict with the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)," Therriault said.

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